Technical Abstract:
It has been reported that corn gluten meal (CGM) has preemergnce herbicide properties that may be useful in organic vegetable production. CGM inhibits the development of plant roots and shoots during germination and its effect is not limited to weeds in that it also affects direct-seeded vegetables. The development of a CGM applicator permits the precise application CGM in a band, which opens possiblities for greater use in vegetable production systems. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of CGM on yellow squash when applied in a band. The study was conducted at Lane, Oklahoma, USA in 2004 using a factorial arrangement: a) 2 application methods (band or broadcast), b) 2 formulations (powdered or granulated) and 2 incorporation methods (with or without), and c) three rates (250, 500 and 750 g/m2). After beds were made using an 81 cm width, CGM was surface applied, leaving in the middle of the bed an untreated area 7.6 cm wide for the band treatment. For incorporation, a "rotary hoe" was used to provide gentle incorporation. Yellow squash 'Lemon Drop' was seeded in the middle of the beds in a single row. Squash establishment and fruit production was determined. There were no significant differences between formulations or due to incorporation. When averages across factors, CGM rate had a significant affect on establishment and yield. As the rate increased, plant survival and yield decreased. The band applicaion produced an increase in plant survival and (59% survival) and yield (228 cartons/ha) compared to the broadcast application(25% y 118 cartons/ha, respectively). The work demonstrates the potential benefit of CGM and the possibility of its use in direct seeded vegetables. Additional work should focus on the use of the banded application system and should consider the relationship between CGM rate and the area that remains untreated between